March 2018

American Football has a great history but it is fair to say that the New York Jets have not made their mark on it as much as they would have liked. With the off-season rebuilding underway, fans of the Gang Green will be starting to hope again in the way that all sports fans do when the dust has settled on the previous campaign. With that in mind, here is something to remind all those that follow the Jets that miracles do happen.

The Jets put themselves in a better position to select a franchise player this morning, as they traded up from #6 overall to #3 overall in the upcoming NFL Draft. The Gang Green had to give up their two second round draft picks this year (#37 and #49 overall) and their second round selection next year.

According to various sources, the New York Jets are bringing back CB Mo Claiborne who became an unrestricted free agent at the end of last season. Claiborne, 28, has agreed to a 1-year $7M contract to return to the Gang Green.

As the start of free agency is just a few hours away, the Jets have reportedly agreed to terms with a couple of more free agents. LB Avery Williamson of the Titans and C Spencer Long of the Redskins are both expected to sign with the Gang Green.

The Gang Green continued being active on the eve of free agency, reportedly reaching agreements with CB Trumaine Johnson and QB Teddy Bridgewater. Johnson was ultimately the best free agent cornerback available on the market, while Bridgewater's 1-year deal is an attempt to sign a potential starter without jeopardizing the future in case if he fails to deliver.

The New York Jets have reportedly agreed to terms on a 3-year contract with RB Isaiah Crowell of the Cleveland Browns. Crowell, 25, ran for 853 yards (4.1 yards/carry) last season and scored 2 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 28 passes for 182 yards. Over the course of his 4-year career Crowell has averaged 4.2 yards/carry and scored 21 rushing touchdowns.

As the coveted prize of this year's free agency, QB Kirk Cousins, went to the Vikings, the Jets had little choice but to re-sign QB Josh McCown. McCown, who will turn 39 later this year, had a career season last year with the Gang Green. He completed 67.3% of his passes for a total of 2,926 yards, 18 TD, 9 INT. McCown is expected to sign a one-year, $10M contract when free agency opens on Wednesday.

Over the coming weeks, the New York Jets have a huge decision to make, and one that will determine their path in the future. Option one is that they sign Kirk Cousins to become their number one quarterback, a player who would come in and contribute instantly to the cause. Option two is that they move up the draft order through a trade, and land a top quarterback with their first round pick.

If you ask many NFL analysts, they will tell you that the New England Patriots have all but wrapped up the AFC East, without Tom Brady throwing a football, such is the superiority they have other their divisional rivals. The Bills, Dolphins and the Jets will go up against them once more this season, looking to break the stranglehold that Brady has, not only on the division, but on the entire NFL.

After another season that will not enter the annals of the Jets' most memorable campaigns, it's time to look ahead to the fall. We all know that the team needs major improvements in a number of areas, but one factor that could be in their favor in 2018 is the schedule.

The off-season quarterback market just got interesting. AJ McCarron won his much-publicised dispute with the Cincinnati Bengals and has now become a free agent. The dispute filed by McCarron was found in his favour in February after the quarterback felt he was healthy enough to come off the injury list prior to the 2014 season, which meant that he is now eligible for free agency rather than restricted free agency.